damomoo

Kariput or what?

This coming weekend on Saturday I have a gig in the daytime in Napa, for a wedding anniversary. I got referred to this through one of the wife's cousins on her dad's side. It's her boyfriend's family so I thought it would be nice to give them a family rate, even though I'm not really related. Part of my problem is I'm too nice when it comes to gigs that I try not to "overcharge", whatever that means. The reality is I'm unemployed, this is my business and the work I do and the investments I've put in are more reason enough to not give discounts. Nevertheless, I proposed a more than fair price and even after that the woman I was dealing with still tried to lowball me. They had someone who was a deejay but out in San Diego, was coming to the party, and would like them to have input and maybe even play music. If all they needed was a soundman I would be fine with that. He can do whatever he wants but it still shouldn't change the rate because it's already discounted. After our initial conversation she said she would get back to me and decide what they wanted to do. I hadn't heard directly from her but I did hear from the wife's cousin not too long ago that they still wanted me to be apart of the event. It's now less than a week away and I've yet to hear from the woman who I spoke with but again I'm assuming all is set. I put a call into the cousin but didn't hear from her just yet either.

We all know it's in our people's makeup that we always look for discounts. I'm cool with that and I do it myself. But it get's really frustrating when you think you're giving someone a great deal and they just aren't seeing it your way. Sure I could have told them to find someone else but at the same time I'm realistic that they probably aren't going to find a better deal especially with what I offer and am capable of producing. I'm trying to help out a "family member" at the same time. Plus, how can you put such a big event in the hands of the lowest price available? In this business you really get what you pay for and last I knew people don't throw big wedding anniversary parties every year. If I hear later this week that they found someone else that'll be cool with me but at the same time I just feel that if all they are trying to do is save a buck, then why bother to have a stylish event in the first place?

Update: No sooner than I press "publish post" I get the call from the woman and we're all set for Saturday. She was very gracious and although there is another "deejay" he is non-Pilipino and runs off of a laptop (hmmm...). I'll still be more in control of the tables. I feel a lot better now.

posted by DJ John @ 12:53 PM